Biology ETDs

Publication Date

7-17-1972

Abstract

Urine concentrating ability and kidney structure were investigated in the following insectivorous bats of North America: Myotis lucifugus occultus, Myotis yumanensis, Myotis velifer incautus, Myotis auriculus, Myotis evotis, Myotis thysanodes, Myotis volans, Myotis californicus, Lasionycteris noctivagans, Pipistrellus hesperus, Eptesicus fuscus , Lasiurus cinereus, Euderma maculatum, Plecotus townsendii, Antrozous pallidus and Tadarida brasiliensis. Those species best able to conserve urinary water can survive solute load-water deprivation stresses at higher temperatures and lower water vapor pressures, have relatively longer loops of Henle and tend to live in more arid habitats than those species with relatively poor urine concentrating abilities .

Antrozous pallidus eats readily and is able to derive enough water from a mealworm diet to maintain a positive water balance without drinking water at a mean temperature of 24.9°c and a mean water vapor pressure of 7.0 mm of Hg.

Urine was collected from Myotis lucifugus in a natural roost throughout two consecutive days. The urine collected at dusk reached this species• mean maximum concentration at the end of a hot dry day but not a cool damp day. Similar data were collected from Myotis yumanensis and Myotis thysanodes.

Certain insectivorous bats of North America may be independent of drinking water under natural conditions; this possibility is discussed.

Language

English

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Biology

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

UNM Biology Department

First Committee Member (Chair)

James Smith Findley

Second Committee Member

Clifford Smeed Crawford

Third Committee Member

J. David Ligon

Fourth Committee Member

David Eugene Kidd

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